Kingsford Homestead

Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Kingsford Homestead sits on the North Para River on the western edge of the Barossa Valley. Surrounded by 225 acres of stunning South Australian countryside, the two storey, sandstone house was commissioned by free-settler Stephen King in 1856.

At a Glance

The 225 acre property is steeped in fascinating history and provides stunning views across the valley

Initially found fame as the backdrop to popular Australian television series, McLeod’s Daughters

Enjoy private picnics on the banks of the North Para River which runs through the property

All meals are prepared using seasonal Barossa produce by world renowned chef Stuart Oldfield

Learn how to work with sheep dogs, make Barossa wine, or take a bath in the bush

Adventure, Honeymoon

Call us on 858 345 1762 to start planning your vacation to Kingsford Homestead or take a look at our itineraries to South Australia

Description

Today you are welcomed to the homestead by Pat and Sally Kent, who host guests in the five suites of the upper story, a single suite on the ground floor and the Stonemason’s Cottage at the rear of the property. Each of the suites is slightly different, but each has an en-suite bathroom and a warmly elegant décor. Windows frame views of the rolling hills and giant gum trees.

The spacious dining room looks over the rolling hills – a place for wonderful evening meals, of sensational food and great Barossa wines. In the light of a new day, it is a bright, open room ideal for a breakfast. Weather permitting you might prefer to dine on the large verandah at the front of the building, at other times this is a lovely spot to sit and soak up this beautiful Australian setting. For cooler weather there is a lounge with open fire.

Your hosts will be keen to showcase the area – from sheep shearing demonstrations to wine tastings. The property itself is easily enjoyed on rambling wanders, ask for a map and explore the hills, keeping an eye out for kookaburras, parrots, wedge-tailed eagles (Australia’s largest bird of prey) and kangaroos. xKingsford’s signature activity is surely their outdoor bath – one of the world’s most beautiful al fresco baths imaginable, set in a beautiful and secluded corner of the property. Yes, it can fit two. And they highly recommend it accompanied by a bottle of something sparkling.

The Barossa is one of the world’s finest wine-growing regions, mentioned in the same breath as Bordeaux, Napa and Tuscany.

Now at the heart of the Australian wine industry, the rolling valleys and fertile plains of the Barossa were first noted in the 1830s for their extraordinary potential. In 1842 communities of Prussian émigrés were brought into the region to establish a little of the ‘old world’ in the new. As was their tradition, a few began to grow vines

Accommodation

Kingsford's seven suites cater to a total of 14 guests.

There are five suites on the upper storey, a single suite on the ground floor and the Stonemason’s Cottage at the rear of the property. Each is styled slightly differently, with comforts and luxuries common to all.

Stephen King Suite

Pastoralist Stephen King built Kingsford in 1856; it’s fitting that his name is on the largest room in the homestead.

This stunning room enjoys views to the west plus access to a balcony on top of the Gothic porch – the ideal place to watch the sun set over the stone shearing sheds.

The en suite bathroom has a double shower plus bath with spa jets; the bath is positioned to enjoy views to the magnificent southern hills.

If you’re traveling in a party of four, this suite can be connected to the adjoining John Angus Suite.

John Angas Suite

The Angas Suite looks south onto the sublime hills and giant gum trees at the front of the property. There are cushions in the recesses of the two timber-framed windows and for very good reason – perfect places to sit and enjoy the view.

This flexible room can be set with a comfortable king-size bed or two large singles. If required, it also links to the Stephen King Suite.

Stephen King built the property but second owner John Angas put it on the map, turning the property into a Hereford stud farm which enjoyed a far-reaching reputation.

Mincalta Suite

The suite is named for the Wirra people who walked these lands before the colonists began to survey and section South Australia in the 1830s. Mincalta was the Aboriginal name for the area – and the name used by King for his first stone dwelling.

The Mincalta Suite occupies the south-eastern corner of the homestead, looking over hills and vales. It is ideally placed to enjoy a Kingsford sunrise.

A set of small steps leads into an innovative bathroom complete with extra-large contemporary bath plus a shower.

Frederick Scarfe Suite

Frederick Scarfe occupied Kingsford in the 1900s with his brother Alfred; Frederick was mayor of Kensington and Norwood in Adelaide, as well as a director of Adelaide’s most famous department store, Harris Scarfe.

The Scarfe Suite looks to the east – it’s a sunrise room – with a smaller view over the old dairy at the rear of the property.

Though not as large as the front rooms, it enjoys a huge en suite with shower, plus a bath in striking contemporary design.

Kerry Packer Suite

The Packer Suite is a mid-sized room with views to the west. It’s another room that glows at sunset.

The en suite is spacious, set off by a magnificent clawfoot bath. The bathroom also features a shower.

As the owner of Australia's Channel Nine, Kerry Packer acquired Kingsford in 2000, turning it into the chief location for McLeod’s Daughters.

Ahrens Suite

The Ahrens family – a fifth generation Barossa family – presently owns Kingsford. It was acquired in 2009 before undergoing the most substantial renovation since it was built in 1856.

The Ahrens Suite is on the ground floor, occupying the northeastern corner of the building. It’s very convenient to all guest facilities, including the dining room and lounge, and especially suitable for people preferring not to use the stairs. It has also been designed for complete wheelchair access.

The extra-spacious en suite features a hand-held shower.

Stonemason' Cottage

The cottage is a tribute to the un-named craftsman who oversaw the building of Kingsford. One hundred and fifty years later, the property is in excellent repair and the especially-fine sandstone walls are testament to his skill.

The Stonemason’s Cottage is a special hideaway for those wanting some extra space and privacy.

The beautiful stone cottage is at the rear of the main house and features cosy lounge room with open fire, bedroom and sumptuous window-ed bathroom with generous double shower and spa bath.

Low ceilings, exposed beams and a private walled garden help make this a retreat of tremendous charm.

Facilities

Dining at Kingsford brings together a love of country home cooking, gourmet flair and some of the finest produce to be found in Australia.

The seasonal menus are designed by guest chef Stuart Oldfield, who loves to use ingredients from Barossa growers and producers. (He knows most of them personally so don’t be surprised to meet a few of the locals when they drop off some freshly harvested fare...)

They will alternate dinners, so you’ll enjoy a three-course dinner one night and a five-course dinner the next.

Don’t miss the historic stone cellar, accessed by the remarkable gothic timber ‘buffet’. It's not only a wonderful place for dinner, it's also stocked with Barossa wines both fabulous and famous.

Be sure to explore the premium Barons Of The Barossa Selection. These vintages have been hand-selected by some of the region's most celebrated names – a selection that's exclusive to Kingsford.

Location & Directions

Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Kingsford sits on the North Para River on the western edge of the Barossa. Famous wineries such as Peter Lehmann, Yalumba, Rockford, Hentley Farm and Greenock Creek are around 10-minutes drive from the property. The wineries of Clare Valley are about 30-minutes north. The Homestead is just 45-minutes drive north from Adelaide International Airport.

When to go

The climate in the Southern Outback is generally dry and sunny year round. Over the summer months (December to March) it can get very hot during the days and quite warm in the evenings. In winter months (June to August) the days are warm and nights are cold, often dropping below 0°C.

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